Radiator-protector



a. N. T-HOMAS.

RADIATOR PROTECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED AWL-15,1918.

1,345,283. Patented June 29, 1920.

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UNITED STATES RADIATOR-PROTECTOR. I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE N. THOMAS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mankato, inthe county of Blue Earth and State of Minnesota, have invented new and useful Improvements in Radiator-Protectors, of which the following is a specification. This invention has reference to an attachment for radiators of automobiles.

An object of the invention is to produce an attachment for this purpose which is in the nature of a plate designed to be received on the outer face of the radiator and having louvers and openings therein so arranged as to permit of a greater volume of air passing through the upper portion of the radiator, to cool the top of the radiator and to protect the bottom thereof, and consequently reduce the liability of freezing of the radiator, while not interfering with the proper circulation of air therethrough.

In cold weather the radiators for motor cars are protected from freezing by means of some non-freezing solution or by emptying the radiator. The general practice when driving is to bundle the hood and radiator with a blanket or cover. The first result of this practice is incident to the fact that the proper amount of air is not admitted to the cooling system. Hot water always seeks a higher level, and consequently when the engine becomes overheated the water in the radiator is drawn to the top allowing the water in the bottom of the radiator to freeze. ment a correct distribution of air is allowed to flow through the radiator, when the car is driven, the greater volume of air being delivered to the upper heated ortion of the radiator, the lesser volume to-t I e lower portion thereof which is most liable to freeze, and as a,consequencepreventing such freezing, while at. the same time-permittin of flow 0 air through the radiator during warm weather so that the device may remain permanently fixed outhe radiator.

With the above and other objects in View, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as herein described, illustrated and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the radiator of a motor vehicle, showing the im- Specification of Letters Patent.

the boiling of the radiator Vith my improve- Patented June 29, 1920.

Application filed April 15. 1918. Serial No. 228,694.

proved protector in its applied relation thereto.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the protector shown in its applied relation to a radiator.

The protector contemplated in this invention, may be manufactured out of sheet metal and given any desired finish. The protector comprises a body 1 of sheet metal which is formed with a plurality of vertical rows of air deflecting lips 2. These lips are provided b forming horizontal slits 3 1n the body 1' an then swaging or pressing a portion of the metal just above the slits 3 forwardly, so as to project in front of the plane of the body 1, thereby forming air admission openings 4 each of which is covered and protected by one of the deflecting lips 2.

In addition to the air admission openings above described, holes 5 of circular or other shape may be provided along the vertical center and along the top marginal portion of the body 1 as shown in Fig. 1. The body 1' is made in a size to fit any particular radiator connection with which it is'designed to lie-used. The dimensions of the body 1 are such as to enable the marginal edges thereof to be fitted under the forward top,

side and bottom flanges 6, 7 and 8 respec connection with the accompanying drawings, it will now be seen that the air cannot strike directly against the lower part of the core of the radiator but is deflected by the baffle lips 2 and caused' to pass upwardly at an inclination.

The lower part of the radiator is most liable to freeze because hot water therein always rises to the top thereof. Most radi ators freeze when the car is being driven, not while the car is standing idle. An idle car is protected either by a non-freezing soluti n or the emptying of the radiator. Becaus of the holes 5 arranged at the top. of

the protector plate and in the center thereof, but terminating a distance away from the lower edge of the said plate, also by the arrangement of the hafile lips or iouvers, the inflowing air Will tend to cool the upper and heated portion of the radiator so that the sides and bottom of the said radiator will be thus protected and the liability of freezing is reduced to a minimum. In summer time ample air is admitted through the protector to keep the radiator cool, and the protector p1ate,when once positioned need not be removed. In addition to reducing the liability of the freezing of the radiator to a minimum the plate 1 prevents contact with the radiator from the outer face thereof,

and in this respect offers an additional pro tection therefor.

I claim The combination with a radiator for an automobile, of a protector comprising a plate arranged on the outer face of the radiator, said plate at the sides thereof having horizontally disposed slots, outwardly extending'upwardly' inclined lips over said slots, and said plate having openings adjacent to the top and in its center above the lower ed e thereof, all as and for the purpose set orth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

GEORGE N. THOMAS. 

